The Indian Air Force conducted an air display at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh on Saturday, with its Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale fighter jets taking off in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries watching the air display.
Following the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) nod to the proposal to buy 114 Rafale Fighter Jets, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday emphasised that Rafale aircraft will be manufactured outside France for the first time, with 40 to 50 per cent localisation under the 'Make
Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor on Wednesday said that Rafale fighter jets were the "hero" during Operation Sindoor, and that the Indian Air Force aims to induct more Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).
The Indian side is also discussing with French officials for maximising the localised content in the deal with plans of setting up the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility within India to maximise the serviceability of the planes, government sources told ANI.
In a significant development, India is going to take up the around Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal for buying 114 Rafale fighter jets from France which would be manufactured in India with indigenous content of around 30 per cent at a high level meeting of the Defence Ministry.
Global defence and aviation major Safran on Wednesday affirmed that it will "multiply by five" its sourcing from India, as it inaugurated its largest MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) centre for the CFM International LEAP engine in Hyderabad.
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew a Rafale fighter jet over Ambala on Wednesday, leading a formation sortie that also saw President Droupadi Murmu experience the aircraft for the first time.
The proposal, expected to be worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, including the indigenous content of more than 60 per cent, is expected to be taken up for discussion by the Defence Procurement Board headed by the Defence Secretary in the next few weeks.
In a post on social media, Macron said, "Following the Russian drone incursions into Poland, I have decided to deploy three Rafale fighter jets to contribute to the protection of Polish airspace and of NATO's Eastern Flank together with our Allies."
Following an interaction with a French delegation, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor, highlighted the Rafale fighter jets as a symbol of the deepening Indo-French strategic partnership.
Following an FIR registered against Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajay Rai over his 'nimbu-mirchi' jibe on Rafale fighter jet, Congress leader Rai on Thursday said that he just asked when the fighter jet would do its job.